When Ty Moore heard Destiny Child's first radio single more than a decade ago, a unique kind of love was sparked -- one that would take the young Houstonian to the far lengths of fandom and straight into a personal limelight of dedicated idolatry.
Today, Moore spends a substantial chunk of her life as Tyoncé, a spitting-image incarnation of H-town's own resident diva Beyoncé Knowles. Being an impersonator and onstage performer is more than just a past-time or even career for Moore -- it is a way of life.
Last month, after Beyoncé made style headlines with a new pixie haircut, Tyoncé wasted no time following suit. Within hours of the singer's big photo reveal, her self-made doppelganger posted a nearly identical image to the official Tyoncé Moore Facebook page.
And when Beyoncé switched to a more feminine, bobbed style a few days later, her look-alike did the same. Moore explains that sometimes taking such drastic measures comes with the territory of being "Bey," salon bills be damned.
"I've been noted as one of the premier Beyoncé impersonators," Moore says. "I consider it a great honor, and I think it's important to have fidelity to her image in order to maintain that honor."
"This requires changing my hair as often as she does, which is very often," she adds.
Beyond the day-to-day, Moore says that emulating Beyoncé's signature look onstage is another huge commitment. (Check out her Instagram for proof.) Moore estimates a total of four hours to complete the transformation to "full-on diva" -- complete with multiple costume changes.
Anyone who's had the fortune of catching Tyoncé's act knows that this gal is nothing if not precise. And not for nothing: learning new material is an all-consuming affair for Moore, who listens to Beyoncé's music nonstop to learn the ins and outs of each recording, including "every breath, pause, ad-lib, riff, instrumental break and so-on."
A trained actor, dancer and singer, Moore strives for perfection in every aspect of a Tyoncé performance. She choreographs each routine in accordance with Beyoncé's signature style but also adds a touch of her own personal flair.
"I consider being a performer an artistic discipline," Moore says. "Like other disciplines, it can and should be an effort of love, hard work and determination."
"My art requires a lot of different elements to come together," she adds. "I consider them carefully and work on bettering each performance from my last."
Moore explains that Tyoncé got her official start five years ago in The Rose Room, a Dallas show bar famous for its "gender illusion" performances. According to Moore, Tyoncé was a spur-of-the-moment improv for a talent show the club was hosting. After being persuaded by friends to give it a go, Moore got onstage and with that, a star was born.
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Of course, even then, Moore was no stranger to the spotlight. While growing up on Houston's Westside, Moore says she participated in choir, theater and dance. At just 15, Moore graced the stage as Harry MacAfee in a production of Bye Bye Birdie at the Wortham Center.
And performing may just run in Moore's blood. Her older brother Monroe is the owner and founder of the City Lights Theater, and her mother and another brother, Clifton, are on its creative team.
A family that makes show business a cumulative effort is just one thing Tyoncé has in common with her muse.
"Beyoncé epitomizes talent, humility and presence both on and off the stage," says Moore. "I feel personally tied to her because she exhibits characteristics my mother instilled and fostered in me -- a strong family bond, a commitment to a high performance-level in everything I do and a passion and dedication for the performing arts."
Next up for Tyoncé is a "Miss Moore Tour," currently in the works. And in the future, Moore says she hopes to add new elements to her act, including back-up dancers, more elaborate costumes and special effects.
"In ten years, I would like to have developed a reputation as a consummate, professional performer who is guaranteed to deliver," Moore says. "Any fame, perks [or] opportunities for financial gain that might accompany that goal are welcome too!"
One thing Moore has yet to cross of her Beyoncé bucket-list? Meeting the star in person.
"Something tells me we would get along very well, considering what we share in common," Moore muses. "I envision lots of girl-talk, laughter and a fabulous exchange of ideas."
Despite a long and impressive performance résumé, Moore concludes that even she is not immune to the occasional bought of stage fright. She explains that embracing this natural anxiety is exactly what gives a live performance its creative edge.
"Each and every time before I grace the stage, I close my eyes, take a breath and say to myself, 'You Ready, B?'"
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